Sanctions on hardline Israeli ministers are not enough

Sydney Morning Herald

a day ago

The sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are clearly warranted (' Australia imposes Magnitsky-style sanctions on two hardline Israeli ministers ', smh.com.au, June 11). Not only are they an obstruction to a two-state solution, but their views and conduct are contrary to human rights (Palestinians, as well as Jews, are humans, and so have rights). Logic would say the penalties and fines on Australians who aid and abet them should also apply to non-Australians who facilitate their actions. That is Benjamin Netanyahu and his party who are in coalition with them. So, why not sanction the whole Israeli cabinet? David Rush, Lawson
How worrying is it that some people in Australia wanted to have Ben-Gvir and Smotrich come here? While their sanctioning is something of a relief, there were Australians who wanted these two foreign ministers to come here and speak. A fortnight ago, the men joined nationalist Israelis marching through the Old City on Jerusalem Day, where some of the participants chanted slogans such as 'death to Arabs' and 'may your village burn'. Smotrich has said he would allow 'not even a grain of wheat' to enter Gaza and that the strip would be 'entirely destroyed' during the war. Ben-Gvir has a number of criminal convictions against him, including incitement of racism and supporting a terrorist organisation. Patricia Philippou, Charlestown
Yippee to the Australian government for joining with Britain, Canada, and New Zealand in sanctioning Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two far-right senior ministers in the Israeli government who continue to make inflammatory remarks by inciting violence against the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip. Eric Palm, Gympie (Qld)
Penny Wong has said of the recent suffering of Palestinians, Australia cannot do much on its own, but it can act with others to uphold international law and humanitarian values. Why does Australia not go further, as have others, and recognise a Palestinian state now, and sanction Israel's current government as a whole, not just the two cabinet members? It will be too late to do this when the majority of Palestinians have been killed, or have fled. Elizabeth Vickers, Maroubra
I have not been to the Holy Land since 1964 but since then I have followed the course of events, aware of some of the complex story that includes foolish decisions by Palestinian leaders in the past and very evil actions by Hamas today. That said, perhaps more than two Israeli cabinet members need to be sanctioned. Israel's PM has compared its actions against the Palestinians to the legendary massacre of Canaanites by Joshua. And Israel not only now rejects a two-state solution but through its continued activities in the illegally occupied East Jerusalem and West Bank, it surely seeks one Jewish state, from the sea to the river. John Bunyan, Campbelltown
Surely if we, as a nation, are applying sanctions on foreign politicians for making inflammatory, outrageous, racist statements, then Donald Trump must be at the top of the list. If not, why not? Jim Croke, Stanmore
It's no surprise that correspondents of the Jewish faith and opinion writers disregard the motives of Greta Thunberg and the others who sailed with her on the aid ship to Gaza ('Activists like Thunberg care more about fame than facts', June 11). Maybe it's compassion and empathy for the suffering of Palestinians that is their motive, rather than money and fame. The cynicism of these correspondents and the Israeli government is sickening. Christine Tiley, Albany Creek (Qld)
My goodness, what is it about a young Swedish woman and a boat full of baby formula that so threatens the nuclear-armed state of Israel? You could be forgiven for thinking that her intention was to kill aid workers, bomb schools and withhold food and medical supplies to two million people. Alexander Lane, Thornleigh
Salary model unfair
Whatever the estimate of cost for bringing the salary of NSW staff specialists up to parity with other states, it is the amount the government has been saving each year with its 50-year-old, inequitable, morale-destroying salary model (' Muddying water on psychiatry pay rises ', June 11). NSW pays a base salary two-thirds that of other states and a third is cost-shifted to the Commonwealth through private practice earnings. Psychiatrists, with other non-procedural specialists with limited private earning capacity, can't make up that third. Doctors understand that the government doesn't have the resources to do the right thing overnight, but a structured, assured program is likely to be supported. It should start with psychiatrists, due to the crisis in public psychiatric care, which continues to worsen. How many lives need to be lost before an iniquitous salary model is abolished? Graeme Stewart, Avalon Beach
Press under attack
From my memory of Ireland during The Troubles, rubber bullets were designed to be fired low so that they would bounce from the ground and start rotating before hitting their target (' Albanese condemns shooting of Nine reporter ', June 11). The fatalities usually occurred when the bullets were fired directly at people's heads and bodies. Now, can anyone explain why members of the press were being fired on at all? Richard Murnane, Hornsby
Make NDIS safe
The NDIS is our modern-day equivalent of what Medicare was in the 1970s and '80s. It has to be made sustainable and not subject to rip-offs (Letters, June 11). Why not just introduce a medical benefits scheme-like fee structure for services provided and let providers decide if they want to be part of the system? Dale Bailey, St Leonards
Collision course
RUNIT may be a big hit on social media, but the concept is moronic (' Run It Straight a big hit with global social media fans ', June 11). We've seen the results of high-impact collisions in various forms of football and already this version has caused the death of a young man in New Zealand. While so-called 'sanctioned' events may have medical personnel present, very few if any pop-up versions do. It is time for the authorities to ban this before more people are hurt. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
Least is best
The most important gongs awarded in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours are the OAMs, the lowest rank (Letters, June 11). They are awarded to the people whose voluntary efforts have supported our communities in a wide range of endeavours, often over several years. I salute them. Ainslie Lamb, East Corrimal
It's not hypocrisy. If Scott Morrison had deserved his award I would have applauded. He didn't. I didn't. Mickey Pragnell, Kiama
It's not whether a recipient is a conservative or a so-called progressive; it's what they did to deserve it and this is where Morrison falls down. He let Aussies down on quite a few occasion, but the worst was probably the delay in vaccines. The rest of the world was vaccinating in November; it didn't start here until February. Elaine Hoyle, Avalon Beach
I think that's called 'shooting the messenger'. Our noted defender of the conservative faith flails the lefties for their loud, factual assertions of Scott Morrison's, let's say, shortcomings, but offers no rebuttal other than a feeble, reverse psychology-style 'you're either silent or laudatory when one of yours wins'. In many respects, consistent with conservative politics: predictable ideology and a dash of culture war with a pinch of nothingness. Brian Jones, Leura
Revamp toothless building rules
Property owners know they are gaming the system when they proceed with unapproved construction (' Uncertified inner-west dream home faces wrecking ball ', June 11).
They push their luck and hope they get a Building Information Certificate and then they play the victim. I have no sympathy when I have done the right thing and they are captured by the system for doing the wrong thing. Terry Cook, Ermington
The disregard for rules and the arrogant assumption that the law is toothless is what has given rise to the so-called NIMBY. There's a valid fear that the four-storey block will morph into a 10-storey monstrosity, or that the approved house plans will bear no relation to the final result, or the mature trees will be illegally razed. If government wants people to accept increased density, it should step in and play a much larger role in the provision and management of housing and the laws governing housing. Alison Stewart, Riverview
Those who build monstrosities, thumbing their noses at council regulations, do so in the knowledge that they are likely to get away with a fine and a slap on the wrist. This lack of action will only encourage others to do the same. Councils need to set an example to stop this anti-social behaviour. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek
I'm puzzled by the story about the house in Strathfield facing demolition. Were we supposed to have empathy for a husband and wife trying to build a nice home for their family yet facing the intransigence of a bullying council? Any of us who have built or renovated homes can share stories of dealing with endless red tape and pedantic rules and regulations set or enforced by local councils, but they are usually invoked for good reason. This giant monstrosity of a home towering over the bungalows either side of it is an example of this. I couldn't think of a more appropriate charge than contempt for these home owners. Tony Bennett, Broke
What a contrast your photo highlights, with a modern, land-swallowing mansion flanked by the modest family homes and yards of a bygone era. The trend towards building multi-storey dwellings must surely be a major factor in the housing shortage and affordability crises. Whatever happened to simple and practical? Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills
I hardly call butler's pantries, marble tiles, steam rooms and cinema rooms affordable, and this clearly demonstrates 'red tape' has no effect on housing affordability. Todd Hillsley, Homebush
Screen is not a parent
Well done, Connie Tao Li (' Kids' smartphone use soars ', June 11). If only more parents would recognise the danger of outsourcing child-minding to screens. Gaming apps are designed to provide similar rewards to other addictive habits, while exposure to social media can distort and disrupt a young person's development and mental health. Children are still learning the wisdom and discernment required to engage safely with digital media. As with the rest of life, parental guidance is not just recommended, it is essential. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Smartphone use begins in the pram. What a lost opportunity for a child to hear the human voice, to learn the cadence and words of its mother tongue and to form a bond with its parent. If the person pushing the pram would talk or sing to the baby or toddler, so much would be achieved. Irene Thom, Vaucluse
Vale, Shakespeare
Indeed, vale, gentle John Shakespeare (' The gentle cartoonist who gave the Herald its colour ', June 11), and sincere sympathy to his family, many friends and appreciators.
His death prompts me to give acknowledgement to all cartoonists who work hard at their craft, whether kindly, instructively, pithily, comically – and even scarily, a tad sarcastically, and very often angrily, at what they see as malfeasance, sham politics, public hypocrisy or dangerous. They comfort, cheer, shock, annoy, inform and ask questions of us. They are picture-wordsmiths. What a valuable service they provide to the community. I thank them. Jennifer Fergus, Croydon
Never has a quote rung truer than 'The eyes are the window to the soul'. John Shakespeare's eyes reflect the gentleness and warmth inherent in his nature and displayed in the thousands of his illustrations. Elizabeth Maher, Gordon
When life sometimes gets too much, beyond understanding and acceptance, I'm reminded of Louis MacNeice's poem London Rain. No religious overtones, no biblical psychobabble. Short, sweet, direct. To the point. Like a cartoon by John Shakespeare, who illustrated one of my letters and took me straight to Nirvana. Peter Skrzynecki, Eastwood
I've had serious letters, humorous letters, letters in Column 8 and letters page on the same day, letters on consecutive days, et cetera. But my proudest moment was a letter accompanied by one of John's 'toons. Vale, John, and my sympathies to his family. Robert Hosking, Paddington
I'll always remember the unfailingly optimistic and joyful art of John Shakespeare, and I hope his friends and family never forget what pleasure he gave to the world. Andrew Scott, Pymble
John Shakespeare was one of my heroes. His cartoons were the first items I looked up daily in the Herald. To me laughter is more precious than literature. RIP JS. Kersi Meher-Homji, St Ives
Warm down south
Here in Melbourne, large numbers of people are still casually strolling the streets wearing shorts on 12-degree days. This surely suggest warming the bits of the house you're using to around 18 degrees is enough to be comfortable (' Power bills got you sweating? Stay warm without spending a fortune ', June 11). Switch off lights and the stand-by function. The latter, especially the modem and TV, are costing you 6 to 10 per cent of your bill. And explain why to the kids. Mark Wills, Northcote (Vic)